Permutation mechanism



0. P. BARNES.

PERMUTATFON MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE Ia. 1918.

Patented sept. 23, 1919.

O. P. BARNES.

PERMUTATION MECHANISM.

nPPucATlou man :uns la. 191s.

s Ml ola v0. P. BARNES.

PEnMuTATloN MecHANlsM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I3 1918.

1,316,934. I Patentedsept. 23,1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

unan

STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ORANGE P. BARNES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MAY WRIGHT BARNES, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PERMUTATION MECI-IAN ISM.

Application filed June 13, 1918.

.To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ORANGE P. BARNES, a citizen 'of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Permutation Mechanism, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to permutation meehanism for controlling electric switches or other devices so that the switch or other device may be operated only by one familiar with the actuating combination, and has for its object to provide a new and improved device of this character which will be especially suitable for application to ignition controlling switches of automobiles or in any other situation where it is desirable to prevent tampering by unauthorized persons with machinery operated by power dependent upon the opening or closing of an electric circuit. The nature of the improvements which characterize my invention will be hereinafter pointed out in connection with the description of the particular embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, and what I regard as new will be pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which I have shown my improved permutation mechanism applied to an automobile switch for which I am about to make separate application for Letters Patent Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved switch applied to a suitable support, such as the dashboard of an automobile;

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section thereof, as indicated by line 2 2 on Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. fl is an edge view of the switch applied to a suitable support, the case being partly broken away and some of the operating parts being omitted;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 4 looking down;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view, partly in scction, showing the base plate and some of the parts carried thereby;

Fig. 7 in an underside view of the. driven Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 23, 1919.

serial No. 239,738.

wheel by the rotation of which, where, as in the present instance, my invention is ernbodied in a switch, the making and Ibreaking of the operating circuit is accomplished, showing the permutation ring applied thereto; V

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the operating buttons;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view, partly in section, of the driven wheel above referred to;

Fig. 10 is a perspective View of the permutation ring;

Fig. 1l is a perspective view, partly broken away, of the locking ring; Fig. l2 is an underside view of the lockmfr ring;

Fig. 13 is a perspective View of the driven wheel cap plate; and

Fig. 111 is a fragmentary plan view of the parts shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 13.

Referring to the drawings,-l5 indicates a base plate which is circular in form and is provided with a central boss 16 from which rises a spindle 17, as shown in Fig. 2. The boss 16 is preferably hollowed out to provide a recess which receives a mass of insulating material 18, such as sealing wax, for insulating the lead wires hereinafter described. In the surface of the boss 16 around the spindle 17 a circular ball race 19 is pro* vided which receives anti-friction balls 20, as shown in said ligure. 21 indicates a series of pins projecting from the inner surface of the base-plate l5 near the periphery thereof for the purpose of positioning a series of spiral springs 22 which serve to normally hold the push buttons hereinafter described in operative position and to return them to suoli position after they have been operated. 23 indicates the driven wheel whlch is mounted upon the boss 16 resting on the anti-friction balls 20, being provided en its under surface with a race-way corresponding with the race-way 19. The wheel 2.3 1s rotatably fitted on the spindle 17 and is secured thereon by a collar 24 fitted upon the upper end of said spindle over the hub of the wheel 23 and secured by a tapered pin 25, as shown in Fig. 2. The upper surface of the hub of the wheel 23 and the lower surface of the collar 25 are provided with race-ways which receive anti-friction yballs 26, so that the wheel l23 ,is mounted between upper tand lower yball-bearings, and consequently turns Vreadily about the spindle 17 when operated. Thefextent .to whicli the wheel tina-y fro-tate in either direction is limited by means-of a lug 27 which depends from said wheel near its margin and operates between'two stop arms 28, 29 pivoted respectively at 30, 31 on the *base-plate '115,-as shown :in Fig. 5. v'The stop arm 28 operates between two-stops 3,2, 33 at opposite sides thereof, and in like mannsf. :the .StQP '129 ,operates between tivo stops 3,4, g3`5.. `Springs .36, 37 lconnected to saidstop arms, .respectivelyand to an intermediate vpin .38 normally hold the stop arms against the stops 3,2, 34, respectively, ,but

erinit them to swing back to an extent pliniited-loy the stops 3335. ,I -t will be apparent that when the driven wheel 23 is rotated :to carrythe lug 27 @into Vvengageniellt with the stop arm 28 forexainple, ,furthermovement inthe Asaine direction .of ,the driven wgheel will be yieldingly resisted by-t-hespring 36.

If the dniven wheel k.be rotated. in the opposite direction the stoparm29 .and the spiing p 37vassociated `th'erenvith -,willl..operate in the same way to resist further movement of the driven wheel in that direction. 33, 35V are not essential asin the lnormail QP- era-tion of the y device .the arms 28,129 do not outervnotched surface .of the loa-IBS). 'By this. arrangement ,the Zplunger 41 co-.acts A,with the barv39 to fOr-.nn a sort of ,ratchet stop or detent which holds the .driven wheel 23 'in `different positions kof adjustment ibut permits it to .be shifted from .one positionto another vunder moderate torquevstrain. rIhe notches.

orrecesses 40 are spaced ,a measured `dis.n tance apart so that successive rotar-y impulses -applied to the c lriven ,wheehas hereinafter described, will move ,it intermittently through uniform arcs.

46, 47 indicate inner and outer segmentalV contact plates .concentrically mounted onthe base-plate 15 and insulatedtherefrom :by insulating material 48. The .contact plates 46, 47 ane .connected respectively to wires 49, .'50 which -\extendthrough an opening 51 in .one sidexof the boss 16, .as shown in Fig. 5, and

Tghe stops out through the central recess 1n said boss, as .shown .in Fig. 2. 52, 53 indicate a .second pair of contact plates arranged similarly to the contact plates 47, 48 and separated therefrom by -an insulating-block 54, as-shown in Fig. 5. The contact plates 52,

53 are also insulated from the base-plate 15 by insulating material 48. 55, 56 indicate wires connected with the contact plates 52, 53, respectively, which Wires extendthrough anopening5.7?1Iatqone side of the boss 16 and f videdfat its underside A.with .a swinging armY 5.7 having at its free .end a contact :device or. .shoe .-58 which `is adapted to 'bear upon the .several ycontact plates Alabove described -and to V.for-rn a 4bridging connection either between contact plates 52, 153 lor the contact plates 46, 47. rPhe arm 57 -is 'hinged at 5.9 to a plate i60 secured to tthennder side of the .driven evheel A23 and insulated therefrom by an Vinsulatingeplate l'61, as best-shown in F 7'. 'illhe shoe V58 vis pressed down in yielding contact with the contact plates carried by :the .base-plate 15 by means of 4a spring :'62, asbest shown in Fig; 4. As

therein shown, said spring is interposed between the upper surface of the arm ,557 and the underV surface of the kdriven wheel 23. A downwardly projecting pin -63 carried by the .plate '60 ser-ves to prevent lateral displacement ofthe arm 57, as sho-wn in Figs. 4 and 7.V From the foregoing description it will be understood that when the driven wheel 23 is in such position that the shoe 58 bears `upon contact plates 46, 47 the operating circuit `will be broken, and this is true also when said shoe Vlies on the insulating block 54 between the pairs of'contact plates. fz-hen, however,the dri-ven wheel 23 is turned to bring the shoe 58 into contact with contact` pilates 52, 53 the operati-ng circuit will beV closed. ln the device illustrated the parts are constructed and arranged so that the shoe 58 bearing upon the insulating block 54 at the end of the third impulse, but the fourth impulse will carry the shoe into contact with contact plates 52, 53, thereby closing the circuit. The several recesses or notches 40 in the segmental bar 39 are so located that the driven wheel 23 is arrested with the shoe 58 in the above-described posi tions with reference to the several contact plates.

The driven wheel 23 is rotated in one direction or the other for the purpose of operating the switching mechanism above described by means of permutation mecha-l nism which will now be described.

64 indicates a easing or shell which fits over the base-plate 15 and incloses the operating mechanism. Said casing is preferably provided with a peripheral flange 65 by which it may be secured to a suitable support, such as the dashboard of an automobile. 66 indicates a series of push buttons itted in openings in the face of the shell 64 and extending outwardly therefrom, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Said push buttons are all alike and are properly `lettered or numbered so that they may be distinguished from each other. 1 prefer to provide eight of such push buttons and to letter them consecutively with the capital letters E I Gr H T Z O N, but any other lettering or numbering may be used, and the number of push buttons provided may also be varied. The construction of the several push buttons is best shown in Fig. 8. It will be seen that each of said buttons is provided at its inner end with a block 67 at the lower end of which is a pin 68 which is adapted to register with one of the pins 21 carried by the base-plate 15, the pins 68 serving as supports for the upper ends of the springs 22. Said springs, therefore, operate to normally hold the push buttons 66 in their outer or projected position. The block 67 is provided at its opposite outer margins with the ribs 69 which are adapted to slide in vertical grooves 70 provided in the inner circumference ot' the shell 64 so that the blocks 67 slide longitudinally in said grooves when the buttons 66 are pushed in or are moved out again by the springs 22. Each of the blocks 67 is rovided on its inner face with a diagonal rib or cam 71 and with a pin 72 which projects beyond the inner face of the cam 7l, as shown in Fig. 8. The pins 72 occupy a radial position with reference to the axis of the driven wheel 23, as shown in Fig. 3, for a purpose which will be hereinafter set forth.

73 indicates a permutation or unlocking" u'ardly projecting segmental plates 74 carried by said ring and adapted to rest upon a shoulder 75 formed by cutting away the upper marginal portion oi the driven wheel 23, as shown in Fig. 9. Thus the margin of the permutation ring 73 extends out a short distance beyond the periphery oi the lower portion ei the driven wheel 23, as shown in Fig. 2. For the purpose ot limiting the extent to which the permutation ring may move independently ot' the driven wheel 23 said driven wheel is provided with a segmental abutment 76 which subtends a somewhat shorter arc than the spaces bctween consecutive plates 74, the parts being so proportioned that the permutation ring 73 may move independently of the driven wheel 23 to the extent ol the interval represented by one step. 1t. will be noted that as Shown in Fig. 10 the center' of the several segmental plates 74 are ninety degrees apart and also that said plates are of about one-half the thickness of the abutment 76. so that when the permutation ring 73 is Ain place on the wheel 23 the abutment 76 rises somewhat above the upper surfaces o't' the plates 74. Ono o'l the plates 74 carries an A upwardly projecting pin 77, which, as will hereinafter appear, serves as a` stop and also as a means of attachment. for one end ol a spiral spring by which said ring is connected with the driven wheel 23. As also shown in Fig. 10. the periphery ot' the permutation ring 73 is provided with a number ot sercwthreaded holes 78 which are adapted to receive pins 79 which project radially from the ring 73 as shown in said figure. The location of the pins 79 determines the permutation series by which the switch is operated, and consequently by varying the position ol said pins, the co1nbination by which the switch is operated may be changed. The number et' pins also may bc varied it' desired. although in a given lock neither the location ol the pins 79 nor the number need be changed as the combination can be otherwise more conveniently altered. The pins 79 are adapted to be moved into position to underlie the paths ot' the several cams 71 on the push buttons. but as will more. clearly hereinafter appear` only one et said pins at a time is in posi tion to be operated by one olz said cams. lt .is obvious, thcre'lore, that by pushing` in the push button which overlies the proper pin 79 its cam 7l will engage such pin. and, owing` to the inclination ol" the cam. the permutation ring 73 will be moved around in a eountercloclwise direction the space of one interval or step. rlhe permutation series is so arranged that this will again bringone of the pins 79 into operati ve position under the cam 71 of the neXt button ot the series,

so that pushing such push button the permutation ring may be shifted anotherY step in the saine direction', and consequently when in the arrangement illustrated the proper four push buttons have been operated in succession the permutation ring 73r` will have been moved four steps in a constant direction; of course, Where the permutation Series requires the operation of the same button more than once the result -is the same. Each movement given to ythe permutation ring isy communicated to the driven Wheel 23 through the engagement of one of the segmental plates 7l with' the abutment 76, and consequently theV driven Wheel Will turn with the permutation ring, thereby moving'l 'theV shoe 58 in the man1- ner hereinbefore described.

The pushing of any push button not of the proper series does not directly affect the position orlthe permutation or unlocking ring "i3 because no' pin 79 Will beV in position to' be actuated by such push butto-n, but provision is made for setting back the' permutation ring and the driven Wheel'23 if any push button is operated improperly so as to break up the permutation series' to a greater or less extent and thereby de'- feat any attempt tor operate the switch by' anyone unacquainted With the propercombination. For this purpose I provide What vmay conveniently be termed a locking. ring 80, best shown in Fig. 11.I Said locking ring is adapted tol fit upon the driven Wheel 23 over the permutation ring 73, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, and is provided at its lower margin With internally projecting segmental stops 81 set ninety degrees apart and adapted to register with and rest upon the segmental plates 74 carried by the permutation ring 73. The stops 81 at opposite sides ol the abutment 76 are also adapted to engage said abutment in the saine Way asthe segmental plates 74, a limited amount of movement of the' locking ring 80 independently of the driven Wheel 23 being permitted as in the case of the permutation ring 73. TheI segmental stop 81 which rests upon the plate 74 Which carries the pin 77 is also'adapted to enga-ge said pin which serves` as a stop to limit the rotary movement of the locking plate 8O avvay from the abutment 76. In other Words the abutment '76` limits.v the rotation of the locking plate 8O in one direction and the pin V77 limits its movement in the opposite direction. One of the seg- Y 'mental stops 81 is provided with a vertical pin 82, shown in Fig. 11, for a purpose which Will hereinafter be explained.

The locking ring 80' is provided on its outer surface, except at points' over the pins 7 9 of the permutation ring, vvith a plurality of equally spaced inclined ribs or cams 83,.

said cams being spaced apart sufficiently to permit the pins 72 carried by tl-fi'epushbuttons 66 tof move; freely between adjoining cams, and the inclinationof said cams is' su'clr that when any pushl button not of the permutation series is pushed into the limit direction, and the engagement of one oi' the segmental plates 74@ or. tlfie'permutation ring 73' with the oppositey sidev of the abutment 76' Will similarly' rotate said permutation ring lVl'ien so rotated the driven Wheel 23', and With it the permutation ringf 731, Will be' held against reverse'. movement bythe engagement of thezdetent l1 With one of the notches oft the ratchet bar 39. @n the` re'- tu'rn movement of the push button operated under the action or thek spring 22 its pin 72 will engage tlie under surface of the adjacent cam 83 and move the locking ringStl in the opposite' direction far enough to permit the pin! 72 to pass it and return to its normal position above the upper margin of the locking ring. This reverse movement of the locking ring is indel'aeirdent ol the driven Wheel 23 permutation ring 73 and is provided for by locatingtlie pin 77 so that normally it is fai' enough from the abutment 76V to permit they required amount oi lost motion on the part of thev segmental stop 81 which lies betiv'een said parts, illustrated in F 6. As soon as thev pin 72 passesr up beyond the upper end of the cam 83 the locking ring S6 ifs again rotated in a clock-Wise direction to carry the segmental stop 81 into' engagement With the abutment 76, as illustrated in F ig'. 62, by means of a spring 8l shown iii Fig. 6*, one end ol which is connected with the pin 82 and theother end of which is'connectedwith a pin 85l carried by a cap-plate 86 iitted over the upper portion of the driven Wheel 23 and fiXedly secured thereto,- asby screws 86a shown in Fig. 3u The tendency oi' the spring 84e is to-move the locking* ring 86 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig.A 6, and consequently it operates 'in the manner above described. Ai similar spring 87 secured to a pin 88 carried by the capfplate 86' and to' the pin 77 carried by the permuta-v tion ring 7 3 tends to rotate the permutation ring in the opposite direction" and consequently hold one of the segmental plates 74 normally against the opposite side of the abutment 76,v as shown in Fig. 6. rlhe pur-v pose of this construction-'is to permit the permutation' ring to' be' moved in a reverse direction independently of the driven mein ber to a sufficient extent to permit the push button cam 71 to pass it on the return or out- Ward movement ot' the push button, when, as sometimes occurs, two ot the pins 79 are set in adjacent holes 78 et' the permutation ring, and by the actuation et' the appropriate push button its cam 71 .has moved down between such adjoining pins. VIn such case one of the pins would be engaged by the operating face of said cam, thereby moving the permutation ring forward and carrying the adjoining pin 79 in back ot the cam 71. l/Vhen the push button so operated is released it is necessary that the permutation ring may yield in a reverse direction sulliciently to permit the cam to pass outward, after which the permutation ring must be restored to the position into which .it was moved by the operative l'ace ot' said cam. By using the spring S7 these niovements are provided for. To permit the necessary movement of the pins 77 and S2 independently ot' the cap-plate 86 said cap-plate is provided at proper points with segmental recesses 89-90, as shown in Figs. 6 and 13.

At certain points on the periphery of the locking ring 80 are camless spaces 91, 92, 93, 911, best shown in Figs. 11 and 12, which correspond in location with the diil'erent pins 79 carried by the permutation ring 73, so that when any push button overlying one of such spaces is operated its pin 72 will not actuate the locking ring 80, and said locking ring will be free to rotate in a counterclockwise dii etion when the permutation ring is actuated by the engagement of the cam 71 of said push button with the pin 79 oit the permutation ring then in operative position. lt will be understood, of course, that the disposition of the several cams 83 shown in the drawings is merely illustrative and may be varied to conform to any altered arrangement of the position ot' the several pins 79 ol the permutation ring.

The easing 64 incloses all the operating parts above described, except the outer portions of the push buttons, so that they cannot be tampered with, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and it is secured tothe base-plate l5 by screws which pass through holes 95 in the base-plate into bosses 96 provided at intervals around the marginal portion of the casing 64, as shown in Fig. 3. By removing the casing and the cap-plate S6 the combination can be changed by setting the permutation ring 73 and the locking ring 80 in a'diil'erent relation to the abutment 76 of the driven wheel 23, thus making a different series of push buttons etective to actuate the switch. For ordinary purposes this method of changing the combination is sufficient and it is useful in that it provides a way in which the owner of an automobile, for example, may without dilliculty himself change the combination. More radical combination changes may, however, be made by changing the relative location of the several pins 79 of the permutation `ring with corresponding changes in the location of the cams S3 ol the locking ring.

The operation of my improved permutation mechanism in the embodiment thereof hereinbefore described may be conveniently summarized as follows z-Assuming that the permutation series is made up of the letters (i) H I O in the order` named, il the buttons bearing those letters are pushed in the proper order their respective cams 71 will by their successive engagement with the different pins 79 on the permutation ring, rotate said ring in a counter-clockwise direction, whereby the driven member will be rotated to carry the contact device 5S into engagement with the contact plates 52, 53, thereby closing the operating circuit. It the driven member is in its initial position when the first button is pushed it will be moved four successive steps in a counterclockwise direction bythe actuation of the four push buttons in the manner described, and it' as a result of a previous operation kthe driven member should have been left advanced one or more steps 'from its initial position it will nevertheless Abe operated to close the circuit if the four buttons of the permutation series be actuated in order. For example, il the )in 79 which is designed to be actuated by the cam 71 of the H push button has been left one step in advance of its operative position, when the O push button is first operated its pin 72 will engage one of the cams 83 on the locking ring 8O and will move said lockingl ring, the permutation ring and the driven member backward one space, thus bringing said pin 79 into position to be actuated by the cam of theH push button to advance the permutation mechanism to its next position, and the same is true as to the other positions which the permutation ring may occupy. It any push button is operated out of order its pin 72 will on its inward stroke engage one oilf the cams 83 of the locking ring 80 and will move said locking ring, and with it the permutation ring and the driven member, .in a reverse or clockwise direction to the extent o'l one space Or step, unless the driven member is then in its initial position, in which case they will be moved temporarily slightly beyond their initial position bnt will be returned to such position by the action oil the spring 36 shown in Fig. 5 as soon as the pressure on the push button is removed. lVhen the parts move back beyond their initial position as described, the detent l1 rides up on the outer surface of the segmental bar 39, but it drops back again into the first notch l() as soon as the part-s return to their initial position. By this construction any one seeking to discover the combination by experiment is unable to tell by the 'sense of touch whether the permutation yn'iecha'iiisin moves In `a forward or in a reverse direction'as the operation feels the saine whether the driven meinber `is `moved lin'one direction or the other. The detent 41 by its engagement ywith the ratchet ybar 39 .yieldingly holds the driven member in the different vpositions to which it may vbe moved bythe operation of the severa-l push buttons When the driven member is iin lits yinitial position the contact device 58 will beinengagement withthe contacit .plates e6, 4:7, as'shown in Fig. 5, and the operating circuit will be grounded or otherwise made inoperative, and 'the operating circuit will; remainbrokenuntil said contact-device ismoved by the operation ofthe last .push ybutton of the series into contact with contact iplates '52, 53, whereupon lthe operatin'gcircuit will be closed.

It the. permutation series is-not properly followed and a :push button is operated Vout df order vits pin 72 l'will engage one yof the camsf'of the locking ring 80 and as'above described will thereby reverse the frot'ation of said -lockiiig'ring and also of the permutation ring @Sand the driven wheel This reverse movement will be continued if the saine button-isagainpushech because on successivcoperations ofsuch push buttonit will eiig'age'successive cams 83 owing tothe yfact that while Aits pin 72 'on `its outward or upward movementrotatesfthe flocking ring independently in al counter-clockwise direction, as -soonas such pin passies beyond the under surface of the which yit engages the springy 84 w-iil` swing the 'locking ring 8O `in a' clockwise direction vback to the lposition which it was moved by the inward movementofthe push button, where it will be stopped'by the-abutment '76. If the several pushY buttons in the Ipermutationy series have been ipr'operly operated and the switch closedit will be evidentfthat byoperating any v.push gbutton 1Aother than lthe 0 button the switch be 'setback one space, or by operating two buttons it vbe set back two spaces,the switchbeingopened in either case'. The owner may, there-fore, open the switch `soa's to 'leave it in condition to be closed -byoperating' only one or two buttons in theproper order. The advantage of this is -thatfhe may, Ilier" example, let his chauffeur knowith'e last one or`two-letters of the ierm`utation"s'e'rics without letting him know the v'confiplete combination, thereby allowing him-when desired to lock the car againstunauthorized use by f'thech'aufeur whereas at other timesfhecanlo'ck it so that the chauffeur can unlockit by using the last one or two lettersoftlie series. @t course, if they switch is completely locked by pushin-g a locking buttonfouritimes no onexnot in possession -o-f the complete combination could operate the switch.

It will be noted that by my improved construction a permutation series may be used which involves the use of a given button either one or a number oi' times and this adds very much to the diiiiculty of detecting the true permutation series by experiment, as it is far more baffiingtlian would be the use of a numerical series none ot' which could be used more than once. Forexample, Z Z Z Z, or Z G G Z and'thousands of other similar permutation series are so diiiicult to discover as to make theopening of the lock by unauthorized persons 'practically impossible. The use of a switch comprising a contact device or shoe which slides overcontact plates under considerable pressure, as described, is advantageous in that it keeps the contact terminals polished and free from dust and foreign substances and secures the wiping contact recommended by electrical experts. /Vhen the switch is fully locked the current is grounded and the contact device is `four removes from Athe terminals through whichthe operating circuit 'is' established,-and said circuit can be closed only by pushing the four buttons of the permutation series vin their Xed'order. Any devi`ation from this order'orthe operation of any other button again grounds the current and prevents the operation of the car. The detent device used to hold the driven wheelV against accidental movement operates uniformly whether'the movement of the driven wheel is toward or from the locking position, thus niakingit impossible to detect by pushing any button 'whether the driven wheel is moved for making or breaking the circuit, and consequently increasingthe difficulty of closing the switch byeXperimental manipulation.

My improved permutation mechanism is very'compact and is of convenient design so 'that "when used to'control the vignition switch of 'an automobile it may be bolted directly to the dashboard, or -may be set iiush with the dash in a circular opening' as is the case 'with speedometers, clocks and other attachments, and rcoiiseipiently"can be conveniently operatedby the'owner on entering or leaving his car. The switch illustrated andd'escribed is ldesigned primarily for Vautomobiles but it mayV also be applied to motor 'boats :and in any other situation where it is desired to provide a switch lock tov control the opening Vor closing of an electric circuit. It should be understood, however, that I do not herein claim the novel featuresof the switch perse, as I amabout to iile a lseparate application for patent therefor, as hereinbefore mentioned.

lI/Vhil'e I have specifically described the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, I wish it to be understood that my invention is not limited to the particular construction shown and described, but is generic so far as the subject-matter of the broader claims is concerned, and includes the use of the improved permutation mech anism shown and described Yfor any purpose ttor which it is suitable.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A permutation mechanism con'iprising a rotary driven member movable toward and from its operative position, a plurality et push buttons, a permutation ring associated with said driven member and actuated by the proper operation of the push buttons ot' the permutation series to move said driven member to its operative position, and a rotary member actuated in the opposite direction by incorrect operation of said push buttons for positively moving said driven member away irom its operative position.

2. A permutation mechanism comprising; a rotary driven member movable toward and from its operative position, a plurality ot' push buttons, a permutation ring' associated with said driven member and actuated by the proper operation ot' the push buttons ot 'the permutation series to move said driven member step by step to its operative position, and means actuated by incorrect operation of any o't' said push buttons ttor jositively moving said driven member step by step away from its operative position.

3. A permutation mechanism con'iprising` a rotary driven member movable toward and from its operative position, a plurality of push buttons, a permutation ring associated with said driven member and actuated by the proper operation of the push buttons et' Athe permutation series to move said driven member to its operative position, and a locking Vring associated with said driven member and actuated by incorrect operation of said push buttons to positively move said driven member away from its operative position.

4l. A permutation mechanism comprising a rotary driven member movable toward and from its operative position, a plurality of push buttons, a permutation ring associated with said driven member and actuated by the proper operation of the push buttons ot the permutation series to move said driven member step by step to its operative position, and a locking ring associated with said driven member and actuated by incorrect operation of said push buttons to move said driven member step by step away from its operativeposition. h i

5. A permutation mechanism comprising; a rotary driven member movable toward and 'from its operative position, a plurality ot' push buttons, a permutation ring carried by said driven member and actuated by the proper operation of the push buttons of the permutation series to move said driven member to its operative position, and a locking ring carried by said driven member and actuated by incorrect operation et' said push buttons to move said driven member away from its operative position.

G. A permutation mechanism comprising a rotary driven member movable toward and from its operative position, a plurality ot' push buttons, a permutation ring carried by said driven member and actuated by the proper operation et the push buttons et the permutation series to move said driven member step by step to its operative position, and a lockingring' carried by said driven member and actuated by incorrect operation of said push buttons to move said driven member step by step away from its operative position.

7. A permutation mechanism comprising a rotary driven member movable toward and from its operative position, a plurality of push buttons, means actuated by the proper operation oli' the push buttons of the permutation series for :rotatine' said driven member in one direction to its operative position, and a locking ringcarried by said driven member and arranged to be rotated in the opposite direction by incorrect operaA tion of said push buttons and operating' 'te move said driven member away from its operative position.

S. A permutation mechanism comprising` a rotary driven member movable toward and from its ope ative position, a plurality oi push buttons, means actuated by the proper operation of the push buttons of the permutation series -tor moving said 'driven member to its operative position, and a locking ring carried by said driven member and having a series ol cams arranged to be operated by incorrectoperation of said push buttons to move said driven member away t'rom its operative position.

9. A permutation mechanism comprising a driven member movable toward and 'trom its operative position, a plurality oi push buttons, means associated with said driven member and actuated by the proper operation of the push buttons ot' the permutation series to move said driven member step by step to its operative position, a detent operating,l to yieldingl y hold said driven member `in its different positions, and means actuated by incorrect operation of said push buttons to move said driven member step by step away from its operative position.

10. A permutation mechanism comprising a rotary driven member movable toward and 'from its operative position, a plurality of push buttons, a permutation ring yieldingly connected with said driven member and acof pushbuttons, a. permutation ning: associey ated'l withI said'` driven member andi hav-ingV a limited movement independently. thereof, said permutation ruig-being` arrantogedA 13o-.bef

actuated-by theproper 'operation off'tihe pushA buttons'ofthe permutation seriestofmover said driven member step by stepin one direction to its operative position, and'a spring; connecting said permutation ringfivith said;

driven member` for yieldingly. holdiiigesaid; permutation ring in its normal. relationto.

12. A`I` permutation mechanism comprising; a rotary driven-member movable to-W'ardiand. from its operative positionrawplurality, of;`

push buttons@ a permutation-ring. associated: Withl said." drivenA member: and actuated@ byv the proper operation of the lpush1buttons-..0fg the permutation series to move said! driven.

member step byl step in onedirection toits;

operative: position. and: means: yieldingly coimected With .saidv driven membery and aov tuatedby incorrecti operationof said; push f buttons to move said drivenimember step-by step inthe opposite` directioir 13.' A' permutation mechanism comprising. a rotaryl driven Imember movable'toivard and from its operative position5. a plurality of. push buttons, a permuta-tionring yieldingly connected with said driven memberfand i ac tuated byv the proper operation of: the'push. buttons of' the permutation series to'move':

said driven member step by;v stepin one 1di.- rection to its` operativeposition; means ac.-

tuated by incorrect operation= ofi said: push buttons to move said. driven member: in thef opposite direction, and detent Jfor yielding'ly .holding said driven` member in position after the actuationofanyoffsaid-pushi buttons.

14.' A permutationmechanism comprising.'

a rotary driven memberl movableL toward and from its operativer position, a-y pluralityI of push" buttons, means; actuated by the proper operation ofthe pushbutto-iis of the permutation seriesto vmove said driven member in one direction to -its operative-poe sition, anda locking ring 'yieldinpgly'V connect- Yed With said driven member and actuatedy by incorrect operation of said push Ibuttons to move saidfdriven member step by step in the opposite direction.

15; A'A permutation mechanism. comprising 1 a rotary driven memberfmovabletoward alicia-freni.J its operativepositiom :ai pluralityl oil-. pushi buttons, .means.; assoeiated; with said d-rivem member. andi actuated. by the` proper operationolt 1;-lie-push.7 buttons ofthe permutation seriesto movesaidl driven member tof its operative. positioin, a' looking. ring; asso# ciated withA said driven member andl act-ir ated by incorrect operation. of" said push buttons tomove said driven member step by step in the opposite direction, said-locke ingring:v having'. a limited movement independently of-V said driven#- member, and" afspring.- connecting; said;V looking; ring-1 Withf saidV driven member for yieldinglyy holding: said lockingv ring. in its; normali relation tosaid. driven member.

16J A permutationmechanism comprising; a rotary, driven member movabletovvarcband from itsoperaltivei positiong. av plurality of push buttons,v a permutation 'ringiyieldinglyf connected with-said. driven member and actuated byf the. proper operati'on of the. pushv buttons of: the permutation)l serieslto ino-ve said drivenfmemberstep yby step: inoneldirection toV its, operative position, .and aflock.- ing;k ring yieldinglyi connected with said driven member and` actuated byuincorrect Operation of SaidPpushifbiit-toiis tei'move said driven `member step 'by step. the opposite direction.

17. A: permutation, meehanism` compris ing' a rotary driven membermovable toward andfrom. its.y operative:l positiom i a plurality of push` buttons, permuta-,tion andllockingjringsV associ-ated Withsaidi driven member andfeacli havingsalimited movement independently thereof. said: permutation1 ring..

beingzarrangedizto be actuatedfby;v the proper operation: ofthe push. buttons of theipermuf tationX series to move-said. driven member step'by step onef direction to its operative position, and; saidl locking@ ringfb'eingfi arf-- ranged v to.- be actuated :byincorrectA operation of said: push butto-nsf to movevsaid dri-veny member'stepbyY step in the' opposite direction,V andi springs-4 connect-ing 'saidpermutafmember for yieldingly holding 'them' respectivelyA in normalirelationftosaidy driven member Y 18: Ai permutation Imechanismfcomprising a rotaryl driven member movable:L towards and from itsf operative f position; plurality of push buttons;` af permutation ring: asso-r ciated With'said driven'lmember andlactu* ated" by thefprop'erfi operationlfof therpush buttonsof the-permutation series-ite move# saiddriven member step by! step'V infone die rectionto its operativel position; means yield,- ingly connected with said: driven member and actuated by incorrect operation-of* said push buttons to'move. said driven membert step b'y step in thefopp'ositeldirectiom:andI astop f for lim-itin, g the; extent, tol' Which-I saidaz tion and locking rings With said drive-n:

driven member may move away from its operative position.

19. A permutation mechanism comprising a rotary driven member movable toward and from its operative position, a permutation ring carried by said driven member and having a series ot' actuating members, a plu ality of push buttons adapted when the-push buttons ot the permutation series are properly operated to engage said actuating members and rotate said driven member in one direction by a step by step movement, and a locking ring carried by said driven member' and having a series of members adapted to be engaged and operated by incorrect operation or' said push buttons to move said driven member in the opposite direction by a step by step movement.

20. A permutation mechanism .comprising a rotary driven member movable toward and from its operative position7 a permutation ring carried by said driven member and having a series of actuating members, a plurality of push buttons adapted when the push buttons of the permutation series are properly operated to engage said actuating members and rotate said driven member in one direction by a step by step movement, a locking ring yieldingly connected with said driven member and actuated by incorrect operation of said push buttons to move said driven member in the opposite direction, and means for limiting the extent to which said driven member may rotate in the latter direction.

21. A permutation mechanism comprising a rotary driven member movable toward and from its operative position, a permutation ring mounted on said driven member and connected therewith, said permutation ring having a series of projecting pins, a locking ring mounted on said driven member and yieldingly connected therewith, said locking ring having a series oi cams, and a plurality of push buttons disposed around said locking and permutation rings, said push buttons having cams adapted to engage said pins to move said driven member and said locking ring in one direction and having a series of pins adapted to Vengage the cams on said locking ring to move said driven member and the permutation ring in the opposite direction.

22. A permutation mechanism comprising a rotary driven member movable toward and from its operative position, a permutation ring mounted on said driven member and yieldingly connected therewith, said permutation ring having a series of projecting pins, a locking ring mounted on said driven member and yieldingly connected therewith, said locking ring having a series of cams, and a plurality of push buttons disposed around said locking and permutation rings, said push buttons having cams adapted to engage said pins to move Said driven member and said locking ring in one direction and having a series of pins adapted to engage the cams on said locking ring tol move said driven member and the permutation ring in the opposite direction.

23. A permutation mechanism comprising a rotary driven member movable toward and from its operative position, a permutation ring mounted on said driven member and having a limited movement independently thereof, said permutation ring having a series of projecting pins, a locking ring mounted ou said driven member and having a limited movement independently thereof, said locking ring having a series of cams, springs connecting said permutation and locking rings with said driven member Yfor yieldingly holding them respectively in normal relation thereto, and a plurality of push buttons disposed around said locking and permutation rings, said push buttons having cams adapted to engage said pins to move said driven member` and said locking ring step by step in one direction and having a series of pins adapted to engage the cams on said locking ring to move the driven member and the permutation ring step by step in the opposite direction.

24. A permutation mechanism comprising a rotary driven member movable toward and from its operative position, a permutation ring mounted on said driven member and connected therewith, said permutation ring having a series of projecting pins, a locking ring mounted on said driven member and yieldingly connected therewitli,said locking ring having a series of cams, a plurality of push buttons disposed around said locking and permutation rings, said push buttons having cams adapted to engage said pins to nieve said driven member' and said locking ring in one direction and having a series of pins adapted to engage the cams on said locking ring to move said driven member and the permutation ring in the opposite direction, and means for limiting the movement of said driven member away from its operative position.

25. A permutation mechanism comprising a rotary driven member movable toward and from its operative position, a permutation ring mounted on said driven member and yieldingly connected therewith, said permutation ring having a series of projecting pins, a locking ring mounted on said driven member and yieldingly connected therewith, said locking ring having a series ot cams, a plurality of push buttons disposed around said locking and permutation rings, said push buttons having cams adapted to engage said pins to move said driven member and said locking ring in one direc- Y means for limiting the movement of` Said driven member ineit'her direction. y

26). A .permutation meohams'neompiising a rotary driven member movable toward and from itsoperativ'e position, a permutation rmgmounted on said driven member and vyieldingly` connectedl therewith, said ypermutation ring having a series of projeting pins, a looking ringinount'ed onsaid driven member and yielding'ly Connected therewith,

Said leaking ring having a series f' Canis, a' plurality vof push buttons' disposed around said locking and permutation rings, Said push buttons having cams adapted to engage said pins to move said drivenV member and' Said looking ring in `one direction and having aserie's' of pins `adalited to engage the cams on said locking ring tov move said driven member and the permutation ring Vin the opposite direction, and a deterit for yieldingly holding said driven member in position after the ae'tuation of any of said push buttons.V g I y Y Y ORANGE P. BARNES.

'eii bf im @i-ehi mail be @trained fo gevangenis eail, by fiaarssng the cummfsswner of i'atems, Washington, D. C. 

